Scotmid customers in the north of England are benefiting from a new delivery service after staff responded to a call to action for support.
Managers the rural stores in the society’s Lakes and Dales business have launched a phone delivery service after they began receiving a number of requests from elderly customers for a shopping service which would allow them to keep themselves safe and well by staying at home during the Covid 19 lockdown.
Recognising that many of them did not use the internet for shopping and were more comfortable and familiar using the landline, Scotmid set up a system which would enable them to take orders and allow customers to make payments over the phone.
Once orders come in, staff pick and pack the groceries and drive them to customers’ homes, ensuring that safe distances are maintained at all times during the drop off.
The service is currently operating in seven stores across the Lakes and Dales after first launching in the Keswick store at the end of March. It has since been extended to five stores in Scotland.
Orders can be made for food and soft drinks, with no restrictions on the number of products that can be purchased in any one order.
Gail Thornton, regional business manager at Scotmid, said: “As a community retailer, it’s really important for us to be able to continue supporting our customers as best we can during this lockdown period.
“This phone delivery service provides a simple opportunity for our elderly or high risk customers to shop but stay safe by staying at home. We’re delighted to be able to provide this service which will be in place at least until the lockdown restrictions are lifted and we are advised that it is safe to be out and about again.”
